Prostatitis is swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland located directly below the bladder in men. The prostate gland produces fluid (semen) that nourishes and transports sperm.

Prostatitis often causes painful or difficult urination. Other symptoms of prostatitis include pain in the groin, pelvic area or genitals and sometimes flu-like symptoms.

Prostatitis affects men of all ages but tends to be more common in men 50 years of age or younger. Prostatitis can be caused by a number of different things. If it's caused by a bacterial infection, it can usually be treated with antibiotics. However, sometimes prostatitis isn't caused by a bacterial infection or an exact cause is never identified.

Depending on the cause, prostatitis may come on gradually or suddenly. It may get better quickly, either on its own or with treatment. Some types of prostatitis last for months or keep recurring (chronic prostatitis).

Prostatitis symptoms vary depending on the cause. They may include:

Pain or burning sensation when urinating (dysuria)

Difficulty urinating, such as dribbling or hesitant urination

Frequent urination, particularly at night (nocturia)

Urgent need to urinate

Pain in the abdomen, groin or lower back

Pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum (perineum)

Pain or discomfort of the penis or testicles

Painful orgasms (ejaculations)

Flu-like symptoms (with bacterial prostatitis)

When to see a doctor

If you experience pelvic pain, difficult or painful urination, or painful orgasms (ejaculations), see your doctor. If left untreated, some types of prostatitis can cause worsening infection or other health problems.

Acute bacterial prostatitis is often caused by common strains of bacteria. The infection may start when bacteria carried in urine leaks into your prostate. Antibiotics are used to treat it. If bacteria aren't eliminated with antibiotics because they "hide" in the prostate, prostatitis may recur or be difficult to treat. This is called chronic bacterial prostatitis.

Bacterial infection isn't the only cause of prostatitis. Other causes can include:

Immune system disorder

Nervous system disorder

Injury to the prostate or prostate area

In many cases of prostatitis, however, the cause is never identified.

Risk factors for prostatitis include:

Being a young or middle-aged man

Having a past episode of prostatitis

Having an infection in the bladder or the tube that transports semen and urine to the penis (urethra)

Having a pelvic trauma, such as injury from bicycling or horseback riding

Not drinking enough fluids (dehydration)

Using a urinary catheter, a tube inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder

Having unprotected sexual intercourse

Having HIV/AIDS

Being under stress

Having certain inherited traits — particular genes may make some men more susceptible to prostatitis

Complications of prostatitis can include:

Bacterial infection of the blood (bacteremia)

Inflammation of the coiled tube attached to the back of the testicle (epididymitis)

Pus-filled cavity in the prostate (prostatic abscess)

Semen abnormalities and infertility (this can occur with chronic prostatitis)

Elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels

Prostatitis, cancer and PSA levels

Prostatitis can cause elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by the prostate. PSA testing is generally used to screen for prostate cancer. Cancerous cells produce more PSA than do noncancerous cells, so higher than normal levels of PSA in the blood may indicate prostate cancer. However, conditions other than prostate cancer, including prostatitis, also can increase PSA levels.

There's no direct evidence that prostatitis can lead to prostate cancer.

If you have signs or symptoms of prostatitis, you're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in urinary tract and sexual disorders (urologist). Because your time with the doctor can be brief, it's a good idea to prepare ahead of time for your appointment.

What you can do

Write down information to share with your doctor. Your list should include:

Symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to prostatitis

Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes

Medications that you're taking, including any vitamins or herbal supplements

Questions to ask your doctor

List questions for your doctor from most important to least important in case time runs out. You may want to ask some of the following questions.

What is likely causing my symptoms?

What other conditions could be causing the pain I'm experiencing?

What kinds of tests will I need?

What type of treatment do you recommend?

Are there other treatment options?

Are there any brochures or other printed materials that I can take home with me? Are there any websites you recommend?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions at any time during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

When did you begin having symptoms?

How severe are your symptoms?

Have your symptoms been continuous, or do they come and go?

Were you recently diagnosed with a urinary tract infection?

Have you had frequent urinary tract infections in the past?

Have you had a recent injury to the groin area?

Does anything, such as pain medication, seem to improve your symptoms?

Diagnosing prostatitis involves ruling out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms and determining what kind of prostatitis you have. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and your symptoms. He or she will also perform a physical exam, which will likely include a digital rectal examination (DRE).

Initial diagnostic tests may include the following:

Blood culture. Your doctor may order this test if there are signs of infection in your blood.

Urine tests. Your doctor may want to examine samples of your urine for signs of infection. In some cases, the doctor may take a series of samples before, during and after massaging your prostate with a lubricated, gloved finger.

Bladder tests (urodynamic tests). Your doctor may order one or more of these tests, which are used to check how well you can empty your bladder. This can help your doctor understand how much prostatitis is affecting your ability to urinate.

Based on your symptoms and test results, your doctor may conclude that you have one of the following types of prostatitis:

Acute bacterial prostatitis. This type of prostatitis is often caused by common strains of bacteria. It generally starts suddenly and causes flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis. Chronic bacterial prostatitis occurs when bacteria aren't eliminated by antibiotics and lead to recurring or difficult-to-treat infections. Between bouts of chronic bacterial prostatitis, you may not have symptoms or may only have minor symptoms.

Chronic abacteria prostatitis. Also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome, this isn't caused by bacteria. Often an exact cause can't be identified. Most cases of prostatitis fall into this category. For some men, symptoms stay about the same over time. For others, the symptoms go through cycles of being more and less severe.

Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. This type of prostatitis doesn't cause symptoms and is usually found only by chance when you're undergoing tests for other conditions. It doesn't require treatment.

Prostatitis treatments vary depending on the underlying cause. They can include:

Antibiotics. This is the most commonly prescribed treatment for prostatitis. Your doctor will base the choice of medication on the type of bacteria that may be causing your infection. If you have severe symptoms, you may need intravenous (IV) antibiotics. You'll likely need to take oral antibiotics for four to six weeks but may need longer treatment for chronic or recurring prostatitis.

Alpha blockers. These medications help relax the bladder neck and the muscle fibers where your prostate joins your bladder. This treatment may lessen symptoms, such as painful urination.

Anti-inflammatory agents. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may make you more comfortable.

Prostate massage. This is done by your physician using a lubricated, gloved finger — a procedure similar to a digital rectal exam. It may provide some symptom relief, but doctors disagree about how effective it is.

Other treatments. Other potential treatments for prostatitis are being studied. These treatments include heat therapy with a microwave device and drugs based on certain plant extracts.

The following lifestyle changes and home remedies may lessen some symptoms of prostatitis:

Soak in a warm bath (sitz bath).

Limit or avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy or acidic foods.

Avoid prolonged sitting or try sitting on a pillow or inflatable cushion to ease pressure on the prostate.

Alternative therapies that show some promise for reducing symptoms of prostatitis include the following:

Biofeedback. This is a method for teaching you to use your thoughts to control your body. A biofeedback specialist uses signals from monitoring equipment to teach you to control certain body functions and responses, including relaxing your muscles. Some small studies have suggested the benefit of this process to manage pain associated with prostatitis.

Acupuncture. This type of treatment involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin to various depths at certain points on your body. A few small studies have shown that acupuncture may help with prostatitis symptoms.

Herbal remedies and supplements. There's no evidence that herbs and supplements improve prostatitis, although many men take them. Some herbal treatments for prostatitis include rye grass (cernilton), quercetin (a chemical found in green tea, onions and other plants) and extract of the saw palmetto plant. Prostate supplements combine minerals and vitamins, particularly zinc, selenium, and vitamins E and D. Depending on the formulation, some supplements may be harmful, so talk to your doctor before using them.

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